"Canada Street bridge is a key element in Auckland?s new urban cycleway and will complete a cycling and pedestrian loop around the city. The 85 meter long bridge will span over State Highway 1 - Auckland?s major arterial route - and will create a dramatic piece of urban infrastructure when it connects with and reuses an abandoned vehicle offramp. The bridge is designed as a highly sculptural yet simple and elegant form ? an orthotropic steel structure, which allows for a very thin deck with a sculpted column at mid span.
The 4200mm metre wide deck (with 3000mm walking and cycling surface) has a triangular cross section with a maximum depth of 1500mm at the column location tapering to a minimum 750mm at each end of the cantilever. The geometry of the bridge is complex with the tapering diamond shaped column having a coplanar relationship to double curvature monocoque skin of the deck. The bridge was designed and modeled in Rhinoceros as well as the parametric plug-in grasshopper. The bridge will have a high gloss black finish to accentuate the sculptural quality of the bridge, reflect the movement of vehicles surrounding it and resonate with the urban environment its sits within.
LED lighting will be embedded into the barrier edge to illuminate the walking surface and will create a subtle silhouette effect when viewed in elevation."